Come Home to the Cross by Anne Wilson

Scriptures: John 10:18, John 15:13

Jesus’ Blood Canceled Our Sin Debt 

Readers of the classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer know Tom is a mischievous boy whose antics often get him into trouble. But one day at school, he does something noble: he takes the blame for his soon-to-be sweetheart, Becky Thatcher after she accidentally ruined their teacher’s book. The punishment would surely be a humiliating and painful whipping, and Becky was terrified. The tension builds as the austere teacher questions each of the students by name, staring them down with a penetrating gaze. When Becky is in the hot seat, Tom shoots out of his and takes the blame. As a result, he got one of the worst whippings ever doled out in that schoolhouse, but he also gained Becky’s love and devotion. 

It’s a tough read, though, because we can feel the injustice: an innocent person punished for a crime he did not commit. 

And it resonates deep in our spirit because we know the One who inspires that goodness – the One who not only carried the weight of our smallest of transgressions but Who bore ALL of our sins and suffered unimaginably on the cross in our place. 

Our Jesus makes it clear in John 10:18 that He, like our fictional hero, chose to take the blame and that His life was not taken from Him without His assent: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (ESV) 

The gospels record details about the torture Jesus endured, which was far greater than a whipping, though He was whipped mercilessly with a throng of ropes that sported metal pieces and bone shards that would shred a man’s skin. After this beating, soldiers twisted a crown of large thorns on His head and smashed it further into his skin by striking Him with a cane. As if the physical punishment was not enough, they added insult to injury as they stripped him of his clothes and humiliated him with their taunts, curses, and spit. 

This is hard to write; I’m sure it is hard to read. But it is a deep truth we need to meditate on: that our beautifully sinless Savior took the punishment that we deserve. He did it for you. And He did it for me. I pray that you join me in facing the sober truth that while our list of sins did this, Jesus took that list and nailed it to the cross. His love declares you and me – Not Guilty!

Reflective Questions: 

• Can you think of another example of an unjust punishment and how does it make you feel? 
• Jesus says in John 15:13 that laying His life down for His friends is the greatest act of love. Do you consider yourself His friend, and have you accepted His love? Why or why not? 
• Many people, like Peter, say they will die for Jesus, but what are some ways you can LIVE for Him? 

Prayer: Lord, help me to accept the fullness of Your love and to see myself as You see me: not as a dirty sinner, but as spotless as a newborn lamb. What a mystery that Your blood can make me clean in Your sight! May I always know You as my closest friend, the Shepherd who will leave the 99 to find me, and the one whom You love. Thank you for a love so great that You laid down your life for me. Amen!

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:16, Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24

By His Stripes We Are Healed 

One of the momentous things Jesus did during the Passion Week, the day after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He accepted worship, was to go cleanse the Temple. For those who make Jesus in their image and paint Him as a mild-mannered, passive teacher, this part of the Scripture may turn their world upside down, just like those tables Jesus flipped! 

When we compare notes among the Gospel writers, we see that He braided a whip to drive the animals, salesmen, and tax collectors out of the Temple. He was righteously angry because this place was to be a “house of prayer,” not a “den of thieves” where greedy merchants could squeeze money out of sincere worshippers for the proper sacrifice, perhaps a dove for enough coin. But Jesus was not rash. It takes a few minutes to braid a whip, and Jesus was in full command of His emotions as he intently worked on the task at hand. 

As I see Jesus in my mind defending the sanctity of the Temple, I am reminded that Paul teaches in I Corinthians 3:16 that WE are also a temple. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, he writes: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (ESV) 

I can’t help but meditate on Jesus holding that whip…and using it as a purifying tool to cleanse the Temple…knowing that in a few days, someone else would be holding a whip to strike Him, causing His Temple to spill the blood that purifies mine. It is hard not to envision that these savage marks left on His body were the very stripes that healed mine. I am so very thankful for Our Savior who offers healing…healing for our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Nothing is too big that His blood cannot cover. Claim your promise prophesied by Isaiah in 53:5 and confirmed by Jesus and Peter (1 Peter 2:24) that by His stripes, we are healed!

Reflective Questions: 

• Knowing He had a few days left to live, why do you think Jesus took the time to cleanse the Temple? 
• Does this part of Jesus’s personality surprise you? Why or why not? 
• Is there anything you would like Jesus to cleanse within Your temple? Ask Him now! 

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, do You approve of what’s happening in my temple? If I need some reorganizing, I pray You would use Your zeal and love for me…even Your carpentry skills…to turn over whatever needs to be turned over and to rebuild something better in its place. I pray You will immediately usher out whatever does not need to be there, and make space for only the things that do. I want this to be a place that warrants your approval…a place of refuge and a place in which Your light shines. Thank you for dwelling in me, and promising to never leave my side. You are always welcome, Jesus. Amen!

Scriptures: John 19:34, Leviticus 17:11

He Let the Blood and Water Flow 

As you read today’s devotional, meditate on John 19:34 – “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” 

The Apostle John recorded many of Jesus’ “I AM” statements, such as I AM: the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, and the Resurrection and the Life. Jesus also taught during His ministry that He is the Living Water. Students of the Old Testament know that the Lord gave Moses a sneak peek as to the importance of His blood in Leviticus 17:11: “…the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” 

While Our Saviour was born in the flesh (of the blood), He was also fully God and offers us His Living Water, which forever extinguishes the fire of our rebellion and quenches our soul with goodness and mercy. 

Jesus felt His humanity profoundly, even though He had the foresight only God could have. He knew one of His closest friends, Peter would betray Him; several could not even stay awake and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His faithful inner circle would scatter when He was arrested. 

We might not experience this level of disappointment in our relationships, but we still feel let down when people break promises or break our hearts. We start to feel unloved and unimportant, and when this becomes a pattern, we lose trust in humanity. Thank you, Jesus, that You never did! 

A popular Christian teaching instructs that if you wonder how much Jesus loves you, you can look at His outstretched arms on the Cross that declare: “This much!” Jesus paid every last drop of His blood, followed by the Living Water that flowed from His side, representing cleansing, new life, and His everlasting presence. 

Whenever we struggle with trust, we can remember the sacrifice of Jesus proves His faithfulness, and His promises are sure. People disappoint, but Jesus never does; when He was lifted up, He showed us He will never let us down. His love is constant, and His commitment is unshakable. When we feel forgotten or hurt by others, we can find comfort knowing that Jesus never leaves our side, and He will always keep His promises!

Reflective Questions: 

• Have you ever felt let down by a friend’s broken promises? How has that affected your ability to trust or rely on others? 
• How does Jesus’ selfless sacrifice challenge or encourage you to view trust and faithfulness in your current relationships? 
• When you encounter hurt from broken commitments, how can reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus help you to rebuild trust? 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we never have to second guess your faithfulness. Even though I face uncertainty and distrust in my earthly relationships, I never have any reason to doubt Your promises. You have shown me time and again that I can depend on You and You alone. Thank You that you went to the cross willingly, and never hesitated for a second to endure suffering to bring us salvation. Lord, I love You and I am so grateful for Your sacrifice. I pray all of this in Your holy name. Amen!

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

He Went to the Cross For You

Scripture to meditate on today: Galatians 2:20- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Reflecting on Jesus’s crucifixion leads to awe-inspiring revelations about the depth of His love. While we know, according to John 3:16, that He gave His life for the entire world, have you ever stopped to consider that He died specifically for you? As He hung on that cross in unimaginable pain, He was thinking of you—your struggles, joys, fears, and, ultimately, the victory He offers You. While the weight of the world was on His shoulders, His love for you made it bearable. 

Yes, Jesus died for all who will believe, but He died with you on His mind. Each nail, each thorn, each moment of suffering was endured for the sake of your salvation. He knows you by name, and He knows your sins and deepest pain, yet still – He chose to die for you. This was no impersonal sacrifice; it was an intimate, specific, filled-with-purpose mission to save your life. He looked at you and said, “You are worth it.” 

Jesus’ hardest day is a love note for you today. No matter what you’re facing, no matter how broken you feel, His personal sacrifice can be the anchor for your weary soul. Jesus’ death means that there is nothing beyond the reach of His love. Your struggles are not in vain. The Crucifixion seems like a tragic event until we view it through the lens of the Resurrection. Now we know it as the most miraculous and greatest act of love in history – a moment in time that offers all believers a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). 

When life feels overwhelming, and when you question whether things will ever get better, remember the darkest day in history was followed by the most exciting miracle. And with Jesus in your corner, you can walk through today knowing His love is a constant, unshakeable force. Hold onto faith, trusting that the One who died specifically for you is also the One who will carry you through.

Reflective Questions:

• What does it mean to you to know that Jesus’ death was not only a historical event, but an act of love intended for you personally? 
• How does knowing that Jesus went to the cross specifically for you influence the way you love and forgive others? 
• How can understanding the personal nature of Jesus’ sacrifice impact your relationship with Him? 

Prayer: Dear sweet Jesus, I am in awe when I think of Your crucifixion. It’s so hard to wrap my head around the fact that You died for me specifically. Thank You for making me clean and giving me salvation through your great sacrifice on the cross. Nothing I could ever say or do could express my gratitude. I aspire to be as selfless, loving, and forgiving as You. Lord, accompany me during this day and help me to embody the kind of selflessness and humility You had when You went to the cross. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.

Scripture: Luke 15:7

He’s Calling You to Run Home to The Cross

Author John Gire uses his gifting to make Biblical stories come alive with color. One of his devotionals, Moments With the Savior, resurrects some of our favorite stories, and the pages seem to be infused with the breath of the Holy Spirit. 

He writes about the Prodigal Son in such captivating detail that even a calloused nonbeliever would surely be moved by his words describing the love of the good father, scanning the horizon day after day waiting for his wayward son to return home: “One late afternoon as the father is studying that horizon, a dot suddenly punctuates it. He squints (his eyes are not what they used to be), and the dot becomes more distinct. He follows it down the sloping road until, at last, he recognizes the familiar stride. It’s wearier than he remembers, but it’s the stride of his son! And a rush of emotion sends him running.” 

The Father came running to you when He sent His Son to show You His love that persevered through persecution of religious spirits, harassment by doubtful skeptics, mockery of lovers of money, and betrayals of friends and foes. He knew the only way He could save your life was by relinquishing His, and so that is what He did. 

Our Saviour was mercilessly crucified, yet it was His mercy that allowed His blood to be spilled in a love letter only Our Father could write. We are the prodigal sons and daughters that Our Father is waiting for. Jesus, who is God Himself, shared the heart of our loving Father who rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7); He is waiting for you to turn away from sin and accept His sinless Son. 

Jesus rose up out of that grave, victorious over death, and proved to a waiting and watching world that HE IS who He said He is, and we can take comfort in knowing the Shepherd who leaves the 99 will come back for His flock. As we wait for that day, let us rejoice with heaven over prodigals who return to their Father and serve our brothers and sisters both with Truth and with the hands and feet of Jesus. Our merciful God did what He said He would do – now, what is our response to His love?

Reflective Questions:

• Do you believe there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation, but rather Jesus covered all of your sins by His blood and that His grace is an unmerited gift that you can choose to accept today? If not, what is standing in your way? 
• If you want to accept the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, tell the Lord this minute you are a sinner in need of His grace, that You accept the blood of Christ to cover you, and that you want His Holy Spirit to dwell within you. 

Prayer: Dear King Jesus, You alone are worthy of our worship, and we commit to knowing You by studying Your living and breathing Word. We ask that the Holy Spirit reign supreme in our lives, and that we learn to hear the still, small voice that will not compete for our affection. Help us to choose you and to tune out distractions and the voices of opposition who dishonor You. Lord, please give us Your discernment to know how to live in these challenging times. You are Truth, Beauty and Goodness, and we want to love You more. In Your name, Jesus, we pray…Amen!